梦游圣经66本书

日期：2025年4月30日
经文：撒母耳记上 8:5

“你年纪老迈了，你儿子不行你的道。现在求你为我们立一个王治理我们，像列国一样。”

思考：

当撒母耳年迈、他儿子的行径令人失望时，以色列人焦急地请求一位“像列国一样”的王来治理他们。他们渴望有一个更强的制度、更明确的权力结构、以及更可见的领袖来代表他们争战。
但在这看似合理的要求背后，却隐藏着一颗焦虑不安、模仿世界的心。他们忘记了，真正引导他们脱离旷野、战胜仇敌、保守他们的，从来都不是制度，而是那位看不见却全然掌权的神。

今天，新加坡正步入全国大选的时刻，我们也听见类似的声音在社会中回响：
• 有些人担心现有的领导层是否仍能稳妥地带领国家走过动荡的全球局势；
• 有些人为日益上升的生活成本感到沉重——房价、物价、就业压力，使人渴望有更有效率、更体恤民生的治理方式；
• 有些人期待有新面孔、新思维带来改革与更新；
• 也有些人，渴望新加坡能“更像其他国家”——制度更透明，声音更自由，发展更前卫。

这些声音背后，都反映出一个共同的渴望：我们希望一个更好的未来。
但撒母耳记提醒我们，一个国家是否稳固，不在于王位上是谁，而在于神是否仍坐在宝座上。

选举是公民的重要责任，但属灵的子民也必须思考更深一层的问题：
• 我们是否因为恐惧与焦虑，把希望全部放在人选或制度上？
• 我们是否被动听的口号与华丽的承诺吸引，却忘了国家真正的根基是公义与敬畏神？
• 我们是否在投票前，先在祷告中寻求神的心意？

当以色列人要求立王时，撒母耳感到忧伤，向神倾诉。而神的话语震撼人心：

“他们不是厌弃你，乃是厌弃我，不要我作他们的王。”（撒母耳记上 8:7）

今日，我们也必须在心中诚实面对：
谁是我真正信靠的王？
我的安全感，是建立在制度与人，还是建立在永不震动的神？

愿我们在这个关键的时刻，不只是选出谁来带领国家，更是回到神面前，立定心志敬畏祂。
因为，唯有耶和华，才是我们国家最坚实的磐石，也是我们未来真正的盼望。

Title: In the Time of Seeking a King, Who Is Our True Dependence?
Date: April 30, 2025
Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:5

“You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”

Reflection:

When Samuel grew old and his sons failed to walk in his ways, the people of Israel anxiously demanded a king “like all the other nations” to govern them. They longed for a stronger system, a clearer power structure, and a visible leader to represent them in battle.
But behind what seemed like a reasonable request was a heart filled with anxiety and a desire to imitate the world. They had forgotten that the One who had led them through the wilderness, defeated their enemies, and preserved them all along was not a man-made system, but the unseen yet sovereign God.

Today, as Singapore approaches its General Election, we hear similar voices echoing in society:
• Some are concerned about whether the current leadership can continue to guide the nation through global uncertainty;
• Others feel weighed down by the rising cost of living—housing prices, inflation, job pressures—longing for governance that is more effective and compassionate;
• Some hope that new faces and fresh ideas will bring about reform and renewal;
• Still others long for Singapore to become “more like other nations”—with greater transparency, freer speech, and more progressive development.

Beneath all these voices lies a common longing: we want a better future.
But the book of 1 Samuel reminds us that the stability of a nation does not depend on who sits on the earthly throne, but on whether God remains enthroned in the hearts of its people.

Elections are a vital civic responsibility, but as God’s people, we are called to ask deeper questions:
• Are we placing all our hope in political candidates or systems because of fear and anxiety?
• Are we drawn by inspiring slogans and bold promises, while forgetting that the true foundation of a nation is righteousness and the fear of the Lord?
• Have we sought God’s will in prayer before casting our votes?

When the Israelites demanded a king, Samuel was grieved and cried out to God. And God responded with a piercing truth:

“It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.” (1 Samuel 8:7)

Today, we too must search our hearts honestly:
Who is the king we truly trust?
Is our sense of security built on systems and leaders—or on the unshakable God?

At this critical moment, may we not only discern who will lead our nation, but more importantly, return to the Lord with reverence and conviction.
For only the Lord is the unshakable Rock of our nation, and the true hope for our future.